News

The Farm Jam Youth Band, winners of the bluegrass challenge, will be one of the acts in competition Monday at the Ritz Theatre.

The Farm Jam Youth Band, winners of the bluegrass challenge, will be one of the acts in competition Monday at the Ritz Theatre.

Open Mic showcase tonight

News Staff
Monday, January 20, 2020
The monthly competitions are over and the Open Mic Winners Showcase is scheduled Monday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. at the historic Ritz Theatre on Doyle Street.
Tiny Stitches volunteers gathered in Duluth last month to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the organization.

Tiny Stitches volunteers gathered in Duluth last month to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the organization.

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Tiny Stitches provides for newborns

News Staff
Friday, January 17, 2020
Twenty years ago, five north Georgia women realized that many newborns in rural Georgia were leaving the hospital without enough clothing and bedding to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer to sustain them for the first three  months of life.
County clerk Beth Rider with the new flag disposal box.

County clerk Beth Rider with the new flag disposal box.

Flag retirement box at Historical Courthouse

News Staff
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
In partnership with the National Association of Counties, the National Flag Foundation, Stephens County has installed a flag retirement box, at no cost to the county, at the historic Stephens County Historical Courthouse.      Flags should be folded respectfully before being placed in the box.
This was how Spa & Salon Anastasia was decorated for the Christmas season.

This was how Spa & Salon Anastasia was decorated for the Christmas season.

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Anastasia is Toccoa's Christmas winner

News Staff
Friday, January 10, 2020
Spa & Salon Anastasia was the first place winner in the 2019 Downtown Toccoa Christmas Storefront Competition.     “It was a competitive, and at times, very close competition,” Main Street manager Christian Hamilton said.
Magician Mario the Maker will perform at the historic Ritz Theater in Toccoa.

Magician Mario the Maker will perform at the historic Ritz Theater in Toccoa.

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Making magic at The Ritz

News Staff
Monday, January 6, 2020
Hailed by David Blaine as “the best kids’ magician in the world,” Mario the Maker magician will perform at the historic Ritz Theatre on Friday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m.     More than just a performer, Mario is also an inventor who creates his own props.
Georgia Farm Bureau president Gerald Long (right) congratulates Stephens County Farm Bureau president Mark Wilkinson on the county Farm Bureau’s being named a finalist for the McKemie Award.

Georgia Farm Bureau president Gerald Long (right) congratulates Stephens County Farm Bureau president Mark Wilkinson on the county Farm Bureau’s being named a finalist for the McKemie Award.

Stephens County Farm Bureau finalist for award

News Staff
Friday, January 3, 2020
Stephens County Farm Bureau (SCFB) was recognized as one of the top county Farm Bureau programs in the state during the organization’s 82nd annual convention held on Jekyll Island Dec. 8-10.
Pictured are (kneeling) Diana Prather and Jody Prather. Standing at rear are Anne Shurley, Jeremy Spradlin, Angie Ramage, Michelle Ivester (Stephens County Commissioner), Lloyd Fox, Jeannie Fox and Lindy Harrell. Not pictured are Kelly Vickers, Dave Jalovick, and Patricia McGarvey.

Pictured are (kneeling) Diana Prather and Jody Prather. Standing at rear are Anne Shurley, Jeremy Spradlin, Angie Ramage, Michelle Ivester (Stephens County Commissioner), Lloyd Fox, Jeannie Fox and Lindy Harrell. Not pictured are Kelly Vickers, Dave Jalovick, and Patricia McGarvey.

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Georgia Power donation improves water trail

News Staff
Friday, December 27, 2019
Christmas came early for the Tugaloo River Water Trail, which is a part of the Stephens County Foundation.      The Georgia Power Company made a $1,000 donation that will be used for water trail maps and signage placed in kiosks at all three of the current river access points.
Benn Keith and Dustin Keeling of Savage Innovations.

Benn Keith and Dustin Keeling of Savage Innovations.

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A season of giving

Toccoa Editor
Thursday, December 26, 2019
The crisp new $100 bill arrived in the mail a few days ago with the only instruction being that I “bless someone in the community” with the money.     And, I knew the young men at Savage Innovations, Ben Keith and Dustin Keeling, were at work once again.
Stephens County government is applying for funds from the state for roads.

Stephens County government is applying for funds from the state for roads.

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County applying for road grant

J. Todd Truelove
Monday, December 23, 2019
Meadowbrook Drive and Davis Road may be getting some road work next year.     The Stephens County government is requesting $660,000 in funds through the state Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG).
NGTC president Dr. Mark Ivester (left) and employee of the year Michael Boyd (right).

NGTC president Dr. Mark Ivester (left) and employee of the year Michael Boyd (right).

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Boyd NGTC Employee of the Year

News Staff
Friday, December 20, 2019
Michael Boyd of Toccoa, facilities director at North Georgia Technical College, was named the 2019 NGTC Employee of the Year recently.     NGTC president Dr. Mark Ivester presented the 2019 Employee of the Year award during the school’s annual dinner and awards ceremony.